After facing weeks of criticism for the slow performance of its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the state said it's begun delivering grants for individual mitigation measures such as installing window shutters and roof braces in homes.

That's welcome progress, but state officials and contractors need to continue improving the program's performance and delivering aid faster to homeowners.

The $7,500 grants pay for small projects to make homes more storm resistant, such as raising air-conditioning units and anchoring exterior gas tanks. But until last week the state had not begun paying for that work. State officials said they paid out $82,500 worth of grants last week but have closings scheduled for an additional $600,000 in grants.

The state needs to make sure the process speeds up smoothly and doesn't get bogged down like the much larger HMPG grants for elevating homes. The state launched the program for elevation grants almost three years ago, but as of last week only about $102 million had been paid out. That's only about 14 percent of the program's budget.

Contractors have recently complained that they are not receiving timely payment for their elevation work. Some applicants, for their part, have said the program has had trouble keepint track of their file and that they have had deal with a different program representative every time they call.

The criticism from participants and local officials finally appears to be having an effect. Now the state needs to make sure it continues pushing its contractors for better performance.